Tiger Woods, After Stumbling at Riviera, Plans to Come Right Back

“I’m starting to come back, and it’s going to take a little time,” Woods said after bowing out of his second PGA Tour event since April, when he had his latest surgery. “I am progressing. I’m starting to get a feel for tournament golf again.”

Over 36 holes here, Woods registered just 15 pars; a pile of 12 bogeys (plus a double) buried him deep on the leaderboard.

“He’s very close,” McIlroy said. “He’s still trying to figure things out with his equipment.”

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Tiger Woods talking with Rory McIlroy, center, and Justin Thomas, right, during the second round of the Genesis Open on Friday.Credit
Ryan Kang/Associated Press

After tinkering with his driver over the three weeks since he rejoined the tour, Woods was especially errant off the tee. Putting, which provided a lifeline in his one-over first round, deserted him Friday, with the stroke count on greens rising to 32 from 25.

“I think everyone has to be patient with him, especially him being patient with it and just give himself time,” McIlroy said. “It’s not too far away.”